Laser for Fungal Nails

Laser Treatment for Fungal Nails (Onychomycosis)

Have your toe nails become yellow, discolored, crumbly and thick? Embarrassed to show your toes in public? Are you avoiding certain footwear so you can hide your toes? You may be suffering from a Fungal nail infection.

You are not alone. As many as 10% or over three million Canadians have toenail fungus. It is highly contagious and fungal infections can be passed between family members if left untreated.

The Family Foot Clinic in Vaughan, offers a new, simple and effective treatment for nail fungus which can eliminate those yellow, discoloured, brittle nails and turn them into clearer, healthier looking nails. Our clinic uses a laser, a leading light based technology that is approved by Health Canada, for the increase of clear nail in patients with Onychomycosis or toenail fungus. The Nd:YAG 1064nm laser has been cleared to be both a safe and effective solution for the treatment of toenail fungus by the Food and Drug Administration(USA) and many International health care jurisdictions

International Scientific and Clinical Research Papers

  • The cause of fungal infections are infecting organisms most often dermatophytes, which feed on the nail protein (keratin) initially causing unsightly discoloration. The infection spreads gradually in warm dark, moist enviroments, such as in your shoes. Infected nails initially begin with yellowing or white spots on the nails. The large toenail is usually the first to be effected. As the infection develops, toenails often become thicker, further discolor, fracture and crumble. Progressive infection of other toenails occurs often, secondary bacterial infections are not uncommon, and psycho social issues.

Laser treatment is the newest technology to provide safe effective treatment in eliminating nail infection and restoring clear nail with as little as one treatment, with no adverse side effects!

How it Works

The laser beam, without the need of anesthetic, is passed over the entire nail plate, to gently heat the nail bed clearing it of fungi. This photo-thermal effect changes the fungi cellular metabolism and at increased temperatures cell components are damaged and metabolism is altered. Lipids in the cell membrane are changed in structure, compromising their function of protecting and regulating the internal environment. The outcome inhibits fungal growth and allows nail clearance.

Individual Results May Vary. Actual photos before Nail laser treatment and after 6 months.

Photos courtesy of Nuvolase Inc.


In the past, the main treatments for fungal toenails consisted of:

Oral Medications (Terbinafine, Itraconazole and Fluconazole)

  • Can be Effective in eliminating nail infections and restoring clear nails.
  • Medication must be taken for 3 to 4 months or even longer and may cause side effects including headache, diarrhea, nausea, upset stomach and skin rash
  • Serious side effects include risk of liver damage and heart failure
  • Weekly blood tests may be required to monitor liver function
  • Cannot be used for all patients.

Topical Medications

  • Safe, however efficacy is terribly low (5 -15%)
  • Drugs are applied directly to the toenails daily for up to 12 months
  • In most patients, the drug is ineffective because it cannot pass through the nail to reach the infection.

Permanent toenail removal is another possible form of treatment for a tenacious fungal nail.

CALL US NOW (905) 850-7837

What you can expect?

Treatment Session Time

  • A single treatment session takes approximately 20-30 minutes to complete

Number of Treatment Sessions

  • Most patients show improvement after one treatment session
  • Depending on the severity of the nail infection, some patients require several treatment sessions.

During the Procedure

  • Most patients describe the procedure as being comfortable. On occasion temporary heat may be experienced during treatment that resolves quickly.

After the Procedure

  • Nails may feel warm for a few minutes
  • Patients are able to walk out of office and resume normal activities immediately

What are the results?

Although the infection is treated by the laser, improvement in the nail appearance is seen as the nail grows out, which takes between 4 - 8 months. The amount of nail improvement you may experience is dependent upon your individual circumstances and should be discussed with the Chiropodist.

A International Clinical study of 262 patients showed that after 6 months 71% of patients and at 1 year 81.5% of patients experienced sustained improvement in new, clear nail growth.

Preventing Fungal Toenail Infections

After a fungal toenail infection has cleared up it is important to take steps to prevent the infection from recurring. Keeping fungi at bay will help prevent a fungal infection of the skin from reinfecting the nail. Before bed, thoroughly wash and dry your feet, and apply a anti-fungal cream. Use the cream every night, then gradually apply it less often. Keep your feet dry. Dry feet are less likely to become infected. .

Other suggestions for preventing Fungal Toenails include:

  • Don’t share nail clippers or nail files with others.
  • Don’t share shoes or socks with others.
  • Try not to injure your nail, such as by cutting it too short .
  • Wear dry cotton socks and change them two or three times a day if necessary.
  • Wear dry shoes to allow circulation.
  • Wear shower sandals or shower shoes when you are at a public pool or shower
  • Avoid pedicure shops where often infections are transmitted.


By following these basic foot care guidelines more often, you can head off most common foot fungus problems.

We at The Family Foot Clinic, Vaughan are determined to help treat your nail fungus by offering you a state of the art, proven, safe and effective treatment option. Laser treatment may be the solution you have been looking for to treat your fungal nails.

Feel free to call us anytime if you have any questions or if you are curious to learn more about this new technology!

Join Our Email List Today

Get Up-to-date Announcements & Things